Early Childhood Outdoors seeks to make links and collaborate with organisations and companies sharing the mission to increase the amount and quality of outdoor experience children from birth to seven have in their daily lives. Through liaising with a wide range of ‘collaborators’ our aim is to enhance each other’s work, enabling and supporting however we can.
The week’s post initiates this stream of the ECO blog, furthering the collaboration I’ve had with Siren Films since 2010 through the production of three wonderful training films, Babies Outdoors, Toddlers Outdoors and Two Year-olds Outdoors (which received the Nursery World staff resources award in 2012).
Dipping into Siren Films’ multi-award-winning Early Years Clip Library, we start with the first of a monthly series of video clips revealing the richness of possibility available through simple outdoor experiences from the first months onwards – thanks Katrina.
Watching the incredibly rich experiences Bobby has with her Mum in the garden, it is clear that the outdoors is a very different place to the indoors for a child in their first year. Rather than attempting to ‘take the indoors out’, it is vital that young children’s outdoor experiences capture the special nature of the outdoors, providing what the indoors cannot.
Several viewings of Bobby’s outdoor experiences, combined with plenty of discussion, will enable practitioners to analyse and come to appreciate the phenomenal range of differences that exists between inside and outside environments, and just how much developmental value these contain for children under one. Babies are very tuned in to these differences and this is why they want and need to be outdoors so much, and why outdoors provision is so important for them.
Paying close attention to the differences and complementary experiences available – what makes the outdoors special – will help teams to reach a shared belief in the importance of going outside for such young children: these highly valuable experiences just cannot be provided indoors. This awareness will also guide thinking about the experiences that should be made available through outdoor provision for all children in the setting.
This clip is part of the Early Years Clip Library from Siren Films which is an extensive collection of high quality training videos. The short clips have been created from Siren’s tried and tested back catalogue and also includes hundreds of new clips films filmed in early years settings around the country.
Real life video examples of child behaviours are an asset for training anyone involved in the support and development of children during their formative years from 0 – 5 years (and beyond). Clips come with additional information, prompts and reflection questions to provide support and guidance to making fitting clips into your course simple.
If a picture paints a thousand words, video provides the added dimension that brings theory and concepts to life. At a time when placements are increasingly difficult to arrange, being able to study children in detail, in situations where they feel most comfortable is crucial.
The clips are easily searchable to filter and select the clip you need. You can also view clips organised by categories into easy to use playlists. You and your team can also create your own playlists where you can save you and organise clips to fit with your needs.
The video clips cover a wide range of subjects from attachment and brain development, to effective learning and setting up a forest nursery. If you can’t find what you need get in touch and our team will help you select what you need.
Many of the clips in the library are information based. They consist of documentary footage of children in real situations with a voice over that describes what is happening, how the children are learning, and how the adults, environment and materials are supporting the child’s learning.
There is a range of observation style video clips that have no voice over so that you can allow students to practice observations. These clips are also very versatile during lectures and seminars for re-enforcing your message or learning point.
The Early Years Clip Library is updated with new material frequently and you, your team and your students will have access to any new material with your active license.
There are lots of options to access the clip library and you can start view pricing information and get started with a free 1 month trial here. Or get in touch with Katrina at katrina@sirenfilms.co.uk and I can help you with the best option to suit your needs.
